ACC Week 11 Power Rankings: Who's on the rise after the league's upset Saturday?

What a weekend it was for the Atlantic Coast Conference. All 17 teams were in action, and fans were not disappointed, as we saw tight games, comebacks and upsets. Naturally, that led to some shakeups in our weekly power rankings. As we head down the stretch of the season, here is how we view the ACC’s top teams.

1. Louisville (last week: 2)

It may not have been Louisville’s most convincing win of the season, as the Cards trailed at halftime. However, winning in Blacksburg, Va., is never easy, so Louisville deserves credit for that, especially after outscoring the Virginia Tech Hokies 21-0 in the second half. The Cardinals now have three quality road wins inside the ACC, which is enough to take them to the top spot.

2. Georgia Tech (last week: 1)

Georgia Tech’s reliance on Haynes King finally caught up with them, as the Yellow Jackets folded defensively against NC State. That loss changes the calculus in the ACC title race, although Georgia Tech remains in good shape.

3. Duke (last week: 4)

The Blue Devils won one of the craziest and most entertaining games in the ACC this season. After executing a 94-yard touchdown drive and then converting a two-point conversion, Duke deserved a win in Death Valley and could make the ACC championship game if it wins out.

4. Virginia (last week: 5)

Once again, the Cavs didn’t earn a lot of beauty points, but winning 3,000 miles from home is no easy feat, nor is winning seven in a row. Virginia is three challenging but winnable games away from going to the ACC championship game and potentially crashing the CFP.

5. SMU (last week: 8)

Can anyone figure out the Mustangs? They have a loss to Wake Forest sandwiched between wins over Clemson and Miami. Keep in mind, they also have losses to two mid-level Big 12 teams. Yet, we have to give SMU credit for being 4-1 in ACC play, which puts the Mustangs in the mix for a spot in the conference title game.

6. Miami (last week: 3)

Last year, the Hurricanes waited until the last week of the season to lose to Syracuse and ruin their College Football Playoff hopes. This year, they decided to spoil their season much earlier. Miami’s vaunted defense couldn’t hold a slim lead and then gave up an overtime touchdown. A month ago, the Canes looked unbeatable, but now their chances of getting to the ACC championship game or CFP are slim.

7. Pittsburgh (last week: 7)

The Panthers took care of business by beating Stanford on the road. But it’s still hard to get too excited about this team. All of Pitt’s wins are against teams near the bottom of the ACC standings. Luckily, after a bye, the Panthers will play Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Miami to close out the season, so we might finally see just how good the Panthers are.

8. Wake Forest (last week: 6)

We may have jumped the gun a little on Wake Forest being sixth last week. The Demon Deacons looked a lot more like the team we were expecting to see this season. They can still finish strong and get to a bowl game, although bouncing back in a road game against Virginia next week is a tough ask.

9. Virginia Tech (last week: 10)

Once again, the Hokies are left shaking their head after a home loss. The eye test says there’s no way this team could be 3-6. But Virginia Tech’s record says otherwise, as the Hokies almost always find a way to lose, even when they play well for long stretches.

10. NC State (last week: 13)

The Wolfpack makes a big leap in the power rankings after handing Georgia Tech its first loss of the season. A bowl game suddenly looks likely for NC State. However, the Wolfpack has been inconsistent all season, especially on defense.

11. California (last week: 11)

The Bears had a ranked Virginia team on the ropes, but couldn’t quite get over the hump and erase an early 10-point deficit. They have another tough game against Louisville next week. However, there is every reason to believe the Bears will be competitive, with Cal needing one more win to secure a bowl spot.

12. Clemson (last week: 9)

Remember when Clemson’s defense was supposed to be elite? Well, the Tigers gave up 46 points to Duke and failed to stop a two-point conversion that could have won the game. They are now 0-3 in ACC home games, and even a bowl game isn’t a sure thing for Dabo Swinney’s team.

13. Stanford (last week: 14)

The Cardinal typically plays well for a quarter or two, but that’s about it. Despite forcing four turnovers against Pitt, Stanford wasn’t close to winning, largely because the Cardinal committed three turnovers as well. However, a trip to North Carolina next weekend feels like a winnable game that could keep Stanford’s slim bowl hopes alive.

14. Florida State (last week: 15)

Where has this Florida State team been all season? While the Seminoles finally have their first ACC win, we still haven’t forgotten that loss to Stanford, or the fact that FSU’s schedule the rest of the way will make it tough to win two more games and become bowl-eligible.

15. North Carolina (last week: 16)

Beating a team starting a lacrosse player at quarterback isn’t the most convincing win for the Tar Heels. But beating Syracuse is enough to move Bill Belichick’s team up a spot in our power rankings.

16. Syracuse (last week: 12)

Completing just four passes for 39 yards is rock bottom for the Orange. Syracuse’s downfall since Steve Angeli got hurt is almost unfathomable. To make matters worse, Fran Brown’s team has road games against Miami and Notre Dame left on the schedule.

17. Boston College (last week: 17)

The Eagles deserve some credit for making Notre Dame work in an ugly 25-10 win for the Fighting Irish. Boston College hasn’t quit on the season, looking like a team that would prefer not to finish 1-11. But until the Eagles get a win, they’ll stay in the basement.